CHAPTER II.
Of the Reception and Clothing of the Brethren.
If anyone, moved by the divine inspiration, come to our brethren, desiring to embrace this manner of life, let them receive him charitably, and if he be firmly resolved to undertake our life, let them take great care not to meddle with his temporal concerns, but let them send him as soon as possible to the Minister. Let the Minister receive him kindly, and encourage him, and diligently explain to him the tenour of our Rule. This being done, if he’ be willing and abje, with safety of conscience and without impediment; let him sell all his goods, and endeavour to distribute them to the poor. But let the brethren and their Ministers be careful not to interfere in any way in his affairs. And let them not receive any money, either by themselves or by any person interposed. If, however, they are in want, the brethren may accept other things, money excepted, for the relief of their necessities, like other poor. When the candidate returns, let the Minister grant him the habit of probation for a year ; that is to say, two tunics without a hood, a cord, drawers, and a caparon* reaching to the girdle. The year of probation being finished, let him be received to Obedience, after which it shall not be lawful for him to pass to another Order, nor to go about without permission, according to the commandment of our Lord the Pope. If, however, anyone should present himself who cannot without difficulty give away his goods, but has the will to relinquish them, it shall suffice. No one shall be received contrary to the form and institution of our holy Mother the Church. Those who have promised Obedience may have one tunic with a hood, and one without, if necessity require it, and the cord and drawers. And let all the brethren be clothed with mean garments, and let them be permitted to mend them with sackcloth and other pieces, with the blessing of God, for our Lord says in the Gospel : ‘They that are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings.’ And although they should be called hypocrites, let them not cease to do good. Let them not desire costly garments in this world, that they may be clothed gloriously in the kingdom of heaven.
* The caparon is a hood, not fastened to the habit, and with a piece of cloth attached to it, which hangs down over the chest. This is to distinguish the novices from the professed religious, whose hoods are sewn on to the habit.